It has to be said: the London Borough of Wandsworth has got some pretty impressive trophies in its cabinet. The lowest council tax in the city, the largest freshwater swimming pool in the country, and if that wasn’t enough – it’s only gone and been crowned the next London Borough of Culture.
That’s right, it was announced today that Wandsworth will be the next borough to wear the cultural crown, pipping many other boroughs to the post. Nine London boroughs submitted bids to be the next London Borough of Culture. Wandsworth won the bid for 2025, with Haringey announced as its 2027 successor. Cultural Impact Awards (worth £200,000) were also given to Barnet, Merton and Greenwich.
Wandsworth is a treasure trove of twinkling cultural gems, home to the Battersea Arts Centre, the Royal College of Art, Tooting Market, and – of course – the regular concerts that I put on for my housemates. So, it’s no real surprise that they’ve been awarded the title.
What is the London Borough of Culture?
The London Borough of Culture initiative was set up by the Mayor of London in 2017. Putting culture at the heart of local communities, the award grants winning London boroughs with funding to help shine a light on their cultural diversity and character. Previous boroughs to have received the title include Waltham Forest, Brent, Lewisham and – the current title-holder, Croydon.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This prestigious award has become a cornerstone in the capital’s calendar, using the power of culture to unite communities, transform young people’s lives and boost the local economy.”
Wandsworth and Haringey will both receive £1.35 million from City Hall to help fund a range of arts, music, and cultural events. Wandsworth’s plans include a huge Strictly-style dance event and a concert that will celebrate 50 years of local music. Meanwhile, Haringey are planning to use the funding to celebrate the borough’s working-class history with a free family festival.
The new Soho Theatre in Walthamstow and the reopened Broadway Theatre in Lewisham are both London Borough of Culture success stories.
Discussing the award, the Mayor of London said: “We’ve seen the difference that it’s made in winning boroughs Waltham Forest, Brent, Lewisham and Croydon, and I’m excited to see Wandsworth and Haringey’s fantastic ideas come to life as we build a better London for all.”
